Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 63967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 320(@200wpm)___ 256(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 320(@200wpm)___ 256(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
“Good girl,” I tell her and then give her another orgasm before we head to MC headquarters.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Sophie
“Thanks for coming with me, Josie.” I squeeze her hand tight as we settle at a table in the clubhouse where all the women and club whores gather with food and drinks. And babies.
“No problem. It’s kind of like a field trip to the zoo, seeing all the animals in their natural habitat.” She laughs, looking around with wide eyes as if we’re on some safari. I backhand her arm. “Ow, what the fuck?”
“Stop it. These are people.” Rude people, apparently, but still. “And we’re guests here.”
Josie rolls her eyes. “Reluctant guests. You called me, remember that. Something about not wanting to be behind enemy lines on your own?”
Yeah, I called in a favor to my best friend, and because she’s the absolute best, she dropped everything and showed up at the clubhouse with her own duffel bag. “And I appreciate it, but let’s try not to make things worse.”
Josie rolls her eyes. “Oh, come on. They’re not even paying attention to us. No one has come over to even say hey, welcome to lockdown. If you need anything, just let me know.” Her gaze scans the room, scorn on her face as she shakes her head. “We’re here because Tank swung his dick, and you said yes. These chicks aren’t our friends, but I don’t care. You do.”
“You’re right.” I shouldn’t care, but I do. Most of these women were nice to me when they came to the clinic. Now, though, since Dr. Nova’s gone? It’s like I’m trash or something. “Whatever. I don’t care.”
“You do, but it’s part of your charm.” She flashes a wide, teasing smile that makes me feel a little better. “Have you talked to your parents about everything?”
“Yes and no. They saw the clinic on the news and called. Mom wanted to come over to check on me, but I told her the police didn’t know who did it or who was the target, and it wasn’t safe right now.” I hate lying to my parents, but I would hate it more if something happened to them because of me.
“At least it kept them away, but you know you can’t keep the baby from them forever, right?”
I glare at my best friend. “Yeah, I know. I’m hoping that showing up with an adorable baby in my arms will make them forget everything else.”
Josie laughs out loud. “Solid plan. I approve.”
“Thanks,” I say, trying to hold back a smile, but I fail.
“So, why is everyone here?”
“Lockdown,” I answer easily, ignoring the pinch that even minutes later, no one has come to say anything to us.
“Why?”
I shrug. “Tank didn’t say. Just that they needed to take care of some shit, and he couldn’t focus on what needed to be done if he was worried about me.” I tell Josie about the guy at the grocery store, and she doesn’t take the news well.
“What the fuck, Soph? You know that means they were following you, right?”
I nod. I hadn’t thought of it at the time, but on the drive home, it came to me. “I know. But I didn’t want you to worry.” I feel like I’ve been saying that a lot lately.
Josie takes my hands, forcing my gaze to hers. “You know that normal people in regular relationships don’t have to deal with this shit, right? There’s no danger lurking around every corner, and I mean this sincerely as fuck. Are you sure you want to bring this constant level of worry into your life? Mine? Your family’s?”
I nod because, again, it’s something I have been thinking about. But there’s something else on my mind. “Tank told me he loves me.” How can I possibly forget that when I’ve been looking for a good man to love me for most of my entire life? And here he is, larger than life, beautiful and kind, and sexy as hell? And he wants me.
Just me.
“Shit,” Josie moans.
I laugh. “Thanks?”
“No, I mean, that’s great, and I’m happy for you. Over the moon. But I know it means that you love him too, and I’ll have to resign myself to always worrying about you.”
I squeeze her hand back. “Thanks, Josie. For being here, and for being the best damn friend a girl could…oh!” A tight ball forms in my belly, and it isn’t anxiety or heartburn. It’s something else.
“Soph, what is it? Talk to me.” The panic in Josie’s voice does nothing to stop the worry from sliding down my throat and settling in my belly.
The pain passes, and I sit up, taking several deep breaths until I’m sure it’s gone. “Nothing. Probably just Braxton Hicks.” It has to be since the baby isn’t due for another few weeks.
“Are you sure?”
Not at all. “Yep.” I smile a little too brightly, nodding as if nothing is wrong. “Pretty sure.” The baby makes a liar out of me as another wave of pain grips me, and I double over. “Fuck!”